Attorney General Greg Abbott Honors Austin Attorneys for Dedication to Texas Children

Sara Krahl-Sullivan and Deterrean Gamble named Assistant Attorney General of the Year

AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott recognized Sara Krahl-Sullivan and Deterrean Gamble for their commitment to Texas children. Krahl-Sullivan, an assistant attorney general for the Child Support Division’s Pflugerville office, was named Assistant Attorney General of the Year for the 42-county region based in Austin. Gamble was selected Assistant Attorney General of the Year for the Child Support Division’s main office in Austin. First Assistant Attorney General Daniel Hodge presented the award to Krahl-Sullivan and Gamble on Tuesday at the Statewide Assistant Attorneys General Conference in Austin.

“Through hard work and dedication, both Sara Krahl-Sullivan and Deterrean Gamble have helped improve the lives of thousands of young Texans and their families,” Attorney General Abbott said. “We are grateful to Sara and Deterrean for their commitment to Texas children and her service to the State.”

Assistant Attorneys General of the Year Award Recipients

Sarah Krahl-Sullivan

Deterrean Gamble

Deputy for Child Support Charles Smith selected one assistant attorney general from each of the state’s nine child support regions, along with an assistant attorney general from the main office in Austin. Honorees are chosen based on recommendations from their peers and supervisors, with a particular focus on employees who are willing to go beyond their normal duties to serve Texas children. Each recipient demonstrates a desire to serve Texas families, help their colleagues and enhance the Attorney General’s Child Support Division.

Krahl-Sullivan, who joined the Office of the Attorney General in 2011, represents the State of Texas in legal actions to establish paternity between children of unmarried parents and their biological fathers. She also works to establish, enforce and modify court orders that require parents to provide child support and medical support.

Krahl-Sullivan, a graduate of Boston College Law School, was chosen to be the region’s Assistant Attorney General of the Year because she demonstrates a sound working knowledge of legal principles and manages her cases effectively and efficiently. In addition, she always demonstrates a good work ethic and high ethical standards.

“Sara Krahl-Sullivan is an outstanding attorney,” said Senior Regional Attorney Rolando Ramirez. “She has an excellent team mentality and work ethic and never shies away from a challenge. In addition, Sara never fails to impress our judiciary and external partners with her trial and negotiation skills. She has earned the respect and admiration of her fellow attorneys, non-lawyer staff and management.”

Gamble, who began his career with the Office of the Attorney General in 2009, graduated from the University of Houston Law Center. He represents the State of Texas in appellate actions related to establishment, modification and enforcement of court orders that require parents to provide child support and medical support. In addition, he provides support for assistant attorneys general in field offices by researching complex legal issues.

Gamble was chosen to be the main office’s Assistant Attorney General of the Year for not only his outstanding skills as an appellate attorney, but also his willingness to help and go the extra mile. He has a reputation for going out of his way to be a resource and partner to his co-workers in the field. He is eager to provide research, input and guidance and offer his drafting skills and trial advice.

“Deterrean is a pleasure to work with and a great asset to the Child Support Division,” said Assistant Deputy Director for Field Legal Practice Joel Rogers. “He is respected and admired by his fellow assistant attorneys general and is considered an invaluable resource and an extremely creative and zealous advocate. Deterrean is very supportive of the field offices and is personally invested in the success of each case. He regularly provides thoughtful insight and reliable advice on legal arguments and winning strategies at both the trial and appellate levels. His commitment and dedication to the children of Texas is evident in everything he does.”

The Attorney General’s Child Support Division offers an array of services to help families, including locating absent parents; establishing paternity for children born to unmarried parents; establishing, enforcing and modifying child and medical support orders; and collecting and distributing child support payments.

For more information about the Office of the Attorney General and the child support services it offers, call (800) 252-8014 or visit the agency’s website at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov.